Jackson County Court Records

West Virginia Code (Code §53-8-17) defines a Jackson County court record as an official document that a court's clerk or other court employees maintain regarding a proceeding. Court records provide precise and detailed record-keeping which is vital for fair and just legal decisions. The basis for legal argumentation, decision-making, and guaranteeing the accuracy of processes is provided by court records. A Jackson court record may include an index, docket entry, petition or other pleading, memorandum, transcription of proceedings, electronic recording, order, and judgment.

Are Court Records Public in Jackson County?

Yes. Court records in Jackson County are deemed to be public under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act. This act grants members of the public the right to inspect and copy public records upon request from their custodian unless their enabling statute specifically exempts them from its provisions. All West Virginia court records are subject to this Act. However, the following categories of information are specifically exempt from disclosure:

• Information of a personal nature
• Information specifically exempted from disclosure by statute
• Certain court records filed under domestic relations
• Specific intelligence information and specific investigative records.

Jackson County Court Records Search

The following options are available for conducting a general search for court records in Jackson County:

• The West Virginia Judiciary electronic portal
• The Court Clerk's Office
• The courthouse where the case was filed
• Third-party websites.

Jackson County Courts

Jackson County's trial court system is made up of the Circuit Court, Magistrate Court, Family Court, and Municipal Court. The Circuit Court has universal jurisdiction over all kinds of proceedings, although it typically addresses situations outside the purview of other courts. Certain types of cases fall under the limited jurisdiction of the municipal court, the magistrate court, and the family court. In contrast to the unified court system, municipal courts operating within the county function autonomously:

Jackson County Circuit Court
Jackson County Courthouse
100 Court Street
P.O. Box 427
Ripley, WV 25271
Phone: (304) 373-2210
Fax: (304) 372-6237

Jackson County Magistrate Court
Jackson County Courthouse
100 Main Street
P.O. Box 368
Ripley, WV 25271
Phone: (304) 373-2313
Fax: (304) 372-7155

Jackson County Family Court
Jackson County Courthouse
100 Court Street
P.O. Box 427
Ripley, WV 25271
Phone: (304) 373-2210
Fax: (304) 372-6237

Ravenswood Municipal Court
212 Walnut Street
Ravenswood, WV 26164
Phone: (304) 273-2621
Fax: (304) 273-2603

Ripley Municipal Court
203 Church Street South
Ripley, WV 25271
Phone: (304) 372-3482
Fax: (304) 372-6693

Jackson County Criminal and Civil Records

The Jackson County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over most civil and criminal cases filed within the county. The Clerk of Circuit Court serves as registrar, recorder, and custodian for all pleadings, documents, and funds about cases filed in circuit court. Per Rule 10.04, anyone who wishes to obtain a criminal court record or a civil court record may contact the clerk's office. Requests may be made in person or via mail.

Alternatively, interested persons may utilize the Magistrate Record Search portal maintained by the West Virginia Judiciary. To look up a criminal or civil case record, choose a party type, and input the party name. Choose a criminal or civil case type and choose Jackson County from the drop-down options.

Furthermore, record seekers may contact the Criminal Records Department of the West Virginia State Police to obtain a criminal history record and Jackson County arrest records. Individuals are required to make an appointment via phone or online.

Jackson County Marriage Records

The Jackson County Clerk's Office is the issuer and custodian of marriage licenses within the county. To obtain a marriage record, fill out and submit the Application for Certified Copies of Vital Records form in person or via mail to:

Jackson County Clerk
100 Court Street North
Ripley, WV 25271.

The Vital Registration Office of the West Virginia Department of Health is the state's repository for vital records. Individuals may obtain a Jackson County marriage certificate in person, by mail, or by phone/internet/Fax: (credit/debit cards only):

• In-person: This is the quickest way to obtain a marriage certificate. A typical walk-in request takes at least a 15-minute wait time. Marriage certificates cost $12, along with another fee of $12 per 3 years for additional searches. Requesters may shorten their wait time by filling out the marriage certificate application form in advance. One may fax the marriage permission slip to allow a third party to obtain a marriage certificate through a walk-in request.
• By Mail: Requests sent by mail can take five to 15 business days or one to three weeks. To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate, complete the application and send it to the office along with the required fees.
• By Phone, Internet, or Fax: For an extra fee ($13.50 processing fee), a state-approved order service offers an expedited service. Credit or debit cards are required for payment. The shipping method determines the cost of shipping (UPS is $18.50). This service can be reached via phone, fax, or online.

Alternatively, one may look up marriage records by utilizing the online search service provided by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History. To search, click on Marriage Records, input the name of the bride and groom, choose Jackson County from the drop-down options, and click on Search.

Jackson County Divorce Record

The Jackson County Clerk's Office manages all county records, including divorce records. One may contact the Jackson County Clerk's Office to request a divorce record by filling out and submitting the Application for Certified Copies of Vital Records via mail or in person. Alternatively, interested persons may also visit the courthouse where the case was filed

Jackson County Birth Records

A Jackson County birth certificate can be obtained from the DHVR in person, by mail, over the phone, online, or by fax. Birth certificates are confidential in nature per Chapter 16-5-27, and may only be accessed by the subject of a record and the direct family members of the subject. To request, fill out and submit the birth certificate request form along with a valid ID and required fees. One may also request a birth certificate from the County Clerk's Office via mail or in person.

Furthermore, one may look up birth records provided by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History. To complete a search, fill in the required information, choose Jackson County from the drop-down options, and click on "See Search Results".

Jackson County Death Records

Death certificates are private documents that can only be viewed by the subject of the record and their immediate relatives. To obtain a death record from the DHVR, fill out and submit the death certificate request form along with a valid ID and the applicable costs. A death certificate can also be obtained in person or by mail from the County Clerk's Office. Additionally, death records are available through the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History. Enter the required data and select Jackson County from the drop-down menu to finish a search.

Jackson County Probate Court Records

The Jackson County Clerk's Office, where the decedent lived, maintains probate records, which are documents that record the legal process of settling a deceased person's estate. To find a probate record, individuals may make a request in person or via mail. One may also contact the courthouse where the probate court case was filed.

These records may include inventories of assets, letters of administration, wills, and other documents about the settlement of the estate.

Jackson County Property Records

The Jackson County Assessor's Office uses real estate data collectors to evaluate real estate for ad valorem tax purposes. Anyone seeking property records may utilize the Real Estate Search online portal maintained by the Assessor's Office. To search, input the property owner's name and other required information.

Interested persons seeking property records may also contact the county's Clerk's Office in person or via mail. Some Jackson County property records include deeds, mortgages, tax assessments, and parcel maps.

Jackson County Court Records Online

The public can access divorce record information from several independent or third-party websites like Westvirginiacourtrecords.us. These websites can offer a collection of public records from various sources though they are not connected to any government organizations. Users can save time and effort by viewing and downloading court records directly from these websites. Anyone who knows the litigants’ names can find these online resources very helpful. Because the parts of the records these websites provide may be inaccurate or lacking, users are advised to double-check their search results.